Why wind power?

Key facts about wind power

Individual wind turbines can be used to generate electricity on a small scale – to power a single home, for example. Or a large number of wind turbines can be grouped together – known as a wind farm – to generate electricity on a much larger scale.

Onshore wind farms are built on the land, whereas offshore wind farms are built out at sea. We need a mix of both to meet the UK and Scottish Government’s targets to generate more electricity from renewable sources.

Key features ofoffshore wind farms

Remote island wind

Remote island wind farms are built on islands away from the UK mainland. They’re one of the most efficient wind technologies, as island wind generates 30% more wind power than the mainland UK average. This makes it better value for customers, as the wind farms operate more frequently and provide a more consistent supply of energy.

Remote wind farms can also benefit local communities with improvements to local infrastructure, jobs, education and community projects.

Benefits of wind power

How long do wind turbines last?

A wind turbine typically lasts around 20-25 years. During this time some parts may need replacing.

How efficient are wind turbines?

Wind is a ‘free’ and infinite energy source, so when we refer to the efficiency of wind turbines, we are looking at how we can improve productivity to reduce the cost of energy generated this way.

The theoretical maximum energy that a wind turbine can extract from the wind blowing across it is just under 60%. Different models of turbine are suited to different wind conditions and we work carefully to establish the type of turbine that is best suited to a particular location to maximise productivity and generate electricity at the lowest price possible.